Clinical Mental Health CounselingMaster of Arts

Learn to work in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health and emotional problems and how to promote mental health and wellness. Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to work in a variety of settings, including counseling/substance abuse centers, schools, hospitals, and social service agencies.

Provide Professional Help for Life's Challenges

As a mental health counselor, you’ll help individuals, groups, and families overcome challenges by providing them emotional and psychological support and assist them in improving their well-being.

As part of our innovative M.A. program in clinical mental health counseling, you'll study theories and skills related to mental health, substance use, and trauma interventions and learn how to apply them to connect with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.

Our 60-credit program is designed to meet the program requirements to be a Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). You will gain extensive fieldwork experience through counseling practicum opportunities and internships that match your interests and professional goals while developing the skills and knowledge to enhance and enrich individuals, families, groups and communities.

As part of our program, you can also supplement your education with the unique opportunity to pursue a concentration in forensic mental health or community development.

Dr. Whitson has a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Columbia, and she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in community psychology at Yale. Her research centers on examining risk factors, protective factors, and services that affect mental health outcomes for low-income children and families and the implications for prevention and intervention.

Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

This course examines traditional theories of personality and counseling, as well as how to translate theory into effective practice. Students will develop basic counseling skills that include an awareness of self and a capacity to use one’s self in the counseling process. The course is designed to teach students to select wisely from various theories and psychotherapeutic techniques, learn basic counseling skills, and begin to develop a personal style of counseling.

This course will introduce students to the variety of theoretical approaches to the development and persistence of substance use disorders and addiction. It will address the co-occurrence of other mental illnesses that may occur in conjunction with substance use disorders. Students will develop conceptual knowledge, practical skills, and self-awareness of the etiology of addiction, assessment strategies, and diagnosis and treatment planning.

A critical survey of the theories and issues of personality assessment. Includes intelligence, achievement, and ability assessment. Personality tests and ethical questions associated with psychological testing.

The practicum involves placement in a practicum setting as well as an in-class seminar. The practicum provides an opportunity for the student to develop basic individual and group counseling skills under supervision. The student receives a grounding in the broader role of professional counselor with the site selected. The seminar portion of the class provides an opportunity for practicum students to meet together weekly to integrate field experiences and discuss topics of professional interest.

The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, check out the Academic Catalog:

Upcoming Graduate School Events

There are a variety of opportunities for you to learn more about our master’s degree programs, what it is like to be a student here, and the scholarships, assistantships and financial aid that we offer. Whether you want to meet us on campus or online, we have something for you.

An advanced degree from the University of New Haven will help you take your career to the next level. Each program offers convenient scheduling, personalized attention, and state-of-the-art facilities.